Video: Zune Guy begins name change quest, drives Ford Focus just like Bill
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Apr 14th 2008 5:46AM
posted Apr 14th 2008 5:46AM
Look, we know that our continued attention just rewards the monkey for his dance. But like any good car crash, our morbid curiosity won't let us look away. Especially when we learn that the Zune Guy drives a Ford Focus, just like Bill Gates. We're guessing that's not a coincidence. Click through for the action.
[Thanks, TomTom]
No offense to anyone else, but, I think that guy is Messed up.
Love to hear your opinions though.
I just wonder why Microsoft would let him change his name and ruin what little value the brand "Zune" has.
Seriously, is this the guy you want to associate with Zune? I don't want to see him dancing around in an iPod like "shadow" commercial!
This guy is a perfect candidate for the TV show The Biggest Loser (if they would allow the gratuitous advertising for MS & Zune)
He can do what he wants with his body and his name as long as it doesn't harm someone else, but he needs to spend a fraction of this re-naming / tattooing energy on getting in better shape or he'll have a short life not matter what his name is.
Wait, did I just say someone can do what they want, followed by what he needs to do with his life (lose weight)? Wow, even I fell into what I hate about people telling other people how to live their life. Screw it, have another burger and beer and go for the name change too.
This a good thing. The next time engadget posts a story of a Mac user getting an apple logo tattoo. We can all reflect back to this sad, sad, sad story and realize just how sane mac users really are.
On a side note, I need a new car. Does anyone know what kind Steve Jobs owns? ;)
/sarcasm
I can't understand why Bill Gates would ever be caught dead in a focus.
He makes 90 times what I do and I have an S550 Benz.
Bill Gates should be in nothing short of a Veyron or a Maybach.
Or a Phantom.
@FlashPoint
Only 90 times????
My bad i think it was sarcasm unless you make a LOT of money
I prefer "Trout Fishing in America"
http://www.coastalview.com/center.asp?article=12251
"He makes 90 times what I do and I have an S550 Benz." - Flashpoint
And we're all *extremely* impressed.
Flashpoint: We're all impressed that you gave into your material side. ;)
My opinion? This guy reminds me somehow of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is a connection there somewhere... anyone else?
I don't see how the tech support guy didn't start cracking up.
I'm hoping MS pulls the Zune so I never have to see that picture again. He may be the ugliest man ever. And I'm sick of looking at his gross, overweight hairy shoulder. Engadget, please, in the name of all that is holy and electronic, discontinue your coverage of this idiot.
Granted, getting your name changed to Zune is a bit strange. Reminds me of how about parents that name their kids "Mercedes" (or Mercades, because that's not the same thing at all) or other marquee brands. I guess it's equally messed up.
Dude Mercedes is a female name of Spanish descent. In fact the car itself was named after a chick.
K.... Everyone prank call him... NOW!!! here's his phone number so you don't have to listen: 712-277-1315
go to www.ebaumsworld.com for some hilarious sound boards..
or if you have vista, add this gadget to your sidebar
http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=f4297f23-8049-480b-bdb5-2e005e7863e1&bt=1&pl=1
send him a message every hour or so... I'm sure he will love it
just let him know you care :P
Doubt he really drives a Focus. It was well known in the late 90s that his daily driver was a Lexus SC400 that had a habit of ... *ahem* ... needing body work.
So it's not like he's like Warren Buffet driving around in a 15 year old pickup or anything.
Doesn't seem like Bill's really much of a car guy; sure he had the 959 and such, but it's not really his thing. But I don't think he's an econobox driver either. Lexus seems like about the right brand for the guy :)
*sigh*
I know. I am jealous too.
Let's all call him!
LOL, I'm really tempted to call, but the better half of me is resisting
His name is Steven Smith and he used to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa before dropping out. During his tenure he used a manipulated his girlfriend and racked up a huge amount of debt.
Not only is he a fucking idiot, he's also an asshole. And anything that happens to him in his lifetime will be too good for him. I'm glad he posted his god damn number up here. Go on, everyone call him and tell him what a worthless piece of shit he really is.
Oh, God. No! NOOOOO!
The stupidity! O, the stupidity!
I'm guessing his mother never hugged him as a child.
I elect you to go give him a hug. :p
No, no. I think that maybe his mother hugged him a bit TOO much.
His mother tried to hug him but couldn't get her arms around him.
Or his mother tried to hug him and he ate her.
Post about it all you must, but please stop posting that same picture it makes me feel sick.
I don't think it's much of a big deal, loads of people get stupid name changes and there are plently of people more crazy than Mike Zune.
i understand if it was a console ... you can have great experiences on a console which are unique to that console.. but this is an mp3 player... it plays mp3s like any other mp3 player.
its seems to me the zune isnt that likable or unique , so this is purely for attention.
Bill Gates would NEVER step foot in a ford focus, let alone drive it, HES WORTH BILLions
Ha Ha, Your Funny BILLions, Ha Ha
They were quick to jump on that free advertising! Also, I don't care what any of you haters think, this guy is the man, except he should not have posted his phone number..lol
"this guy is the man"
you set the bar very low.
Wow and I was told mac fans are "crazy" O_O
can you imagine what the comments would be like if engadget was posting about a guy with 3 iphone tats?
If the guy looked like that I am sure Steve would "terminate" the guy.
@ John:
Actually, quite a few "Mac heads" have Apple logo tattoos. It's not very uncommon. Believe it or not, we just got over it a long time ago.
I will, however, grant there's a huge difference between Apple (or MS) and the iPhone (or Zune), because where one is a time-tested corporate brand, the other is still trying to determine if it has staying power, or is just another flash in the pan.
Nonetheless, not all "Mac heads" are fanboys. Someday you're either going to have to let go of your displeasure with fanboys or quit reading tech blogs, they are breeding grounds for those types.
Get a life
There are so much things (or better products) in life.
What a truly sad, sad individual. I wouldn't have thought that he could change his name to something that must surely have more copyright and trademark protection than "Ron*ld M*D**ald". Do the guy a favour and leave this 'story' where it belongs, in the tabloids.
i think it should be reported just to shame him , and i think that is the spirit in which this article is written . its bad news.
in other news a complete loser, attention seeking sellout is doing something really dumb.. and now for the weather.
Man needs to find some value in his life apart from being a sideshow for the minute fringe that have heard of him.
Princess Konsuela Bannana Hamock
Crap Bag
If you need an easy way to remember it... just think of a bag of crap.
How the fuck does that fit into a Ford Focus?
Well since the car's probably his mom's, he sits in the back.
Someone needs help...
Well, you slowly move in, and tilt your head to the right. Perhaps you should try again? Now where'd your mother go...
Be sure to let us know when this guy decides to actually do something amazing and newsworthy... like start training for the Ironman Triathlon.